Fluid apparatus and method of manufacture



Sept. 11, 1962 D. K. MORRISON FLUID APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed May 21, 1958 FIG.2

FIG.3

INVENTOR DAVID Kv MORRISON FIG.4

ATTORNEY United States Patent Q 3,053,394 FLUID APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE David K. Morrison, Hollywood, Fla. Davric, Bldg. 3, Broward International Airport, Fort Lauderdale,

Fla.)

Filed May 21, 1958, Ser. No. 736,896 8 Claims. (Cl. 210-488) This invention relates to fluid apparatus and the method of manufacturing the same and is particularly directed to constructions involving helically wound filaments suitably secured in an endless form.

In a related application Serial No. 696,430, filed on November 14, 1957, a filter structure was disclosed together with various methods of producing it. The present invention constitutes certain improvements in such structures and methods and the resulting apparatus is applicable to a vast number of uses including mechanical straining of liquids and gases, electrostatic precipitation, electrolysis, heat transfer, catalysis, muffling of sound, vacuum dehydration, liquid separation by capillary action, removal of moisture from air by precipitation, addition of moisture to air by evaporation, ionization of gases, aeration and gasification of liquids, and/ or decontamination of radioactive fluids.

Whereas the invention adapts itself to the use of metal exclusively, contributing to close tolerances in manufacture and expeditious cleaning in use among other advantages rendering metals preferable, the use of other materials such as glasses and plastics are contemplated.

In accordance with the objects of this invention, the fluid apparatus may comprise an endless belt composed of a helically wound filament of small diameter having adjacent convolutions spaced less than such diameter and mutually secured, and in a preferred embodiment, the belt will be flexible.

It is also among the objects of this invention to provide fluid apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced coaxial endless flexible strips, a plurality of spaced struts extending axially of and connecting the strips in spaced relationship, and a filament helically disposed on the struts between the strips. The adjacent convolutions of the, filaments are in spaced relationship in the completed apparatus and preferably the strips, struts and filament are metallic. As a matter of fact, these components may very advantageously be composed of stainless steel or similar alloys. The strips and struts are preferably welded together and the filament is preferably welded to the struts, each convolution of the filament being preferably secured to each of the struts.

The objects also contemplate a method of manufacturing fluid apparatus comprising arranging metallic filamentary material with adjacent surfaces in contacting relationship, securing the material in position, and etching the material sufliciently to produce voids or gaps between the adjacent surfaces. The method is preferably performed by helically winding a filament with successive convolutions in contact and the etching may be achieved with acid or electrolytically.

A more complete understanding of the invention will follow from a detailed description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end elevation of apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view on a somewhat enlarged scale of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 on a further enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view of the apparatus on a different scale; and

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 55 of FIG. 2 on approximately the same scale as employed in FIG. 3.

The apparatus depicted in the drawings comprises a pair of spaced endless and flexible strips 10 suitably joined to spaced struts 12 by welds 14 to assume a ladder-like form. On this endless ladder-like frame, a filament 16 is wound helically and secured at each intersection with each of the struts 12 by a weld 18, best shown in FIG. 3.

The successive convolutions of the filament 16 are preferably arranged in contacting relationship until the Winding has been completed and the filament secured to the frame. The desired spacing between filaments is then preferably achieved by submitting the structure to an acid etching operation. Among the acids that suggest themselves for this purpose are hydrochloric, sulphuric, and nitric, although various other compounds capable of accomplishing this purpose are contemplated. The strength of the acid and the time of exposure will be determined by the specific alloy to be etched and the size of the gap to be produced. The entire device can be immersed in a bath or the etching material can be applied in any other suitable fashion.

Because of their resistance to corrosion, the ease with which they can be cleaned, and their characteristics of strength, hardness and heat resistance, various stainless steel alloys serve admirably as the materials from which the strips, struts and filaments can be composed.

It is contemplated that the spacing between adjacent convolutions of the filament can be of the order of 0.0001 inch or even smaller so that the desirable qualities of stainless steel can be utilized while achieving the relatively small openings of the order characterizing such fragile materials as paper, cloth and various earthy materials. Filaments of relatively small diameter can be used advantageously and commercially available stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.001 inch will be quite suitable for use with gaps of small size.

A plurality of units of the type described can be used jointly where desired and in view of their metallic nature, they are eminently suited for the application of electric currents and voltages as would be employed in electrostatic precipitation, electrolysis and heating.

In view of the fact that the struts 12 are rather widely spaced as compared with the spacing between the convolutions of the filament 16, there is a large area between struts for the movement of fluids through the gaps between convolutions.

Whereas only one specific form of the invention has been described and illustrated, it will suggest variations to those skilled in the art and accordingly, the scope of the invention is not to be restricted beyond that of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. Fluid treating apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced parallel endless flexible strips, a plurality of spaced struts extending axially of and connecting said strips in spaced relationship, and a filament of small diameter helically disposed on said struts defining a band between said strips, adjacent turns of said helically disposed filament being spaced less than the diameter of said filament.

2. Fluid apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strips, struts and filament are metal.

3. Fluid apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strips, struts and filament are composed of stainless steel.

4. Fluid apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strips and struts are welded together.

5. Fluid apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filament is welded to said struts.

6. Fluid apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each convolution of said filament is secured to each of said struts.

3 7. Fluid treating apparatus comprising an endless belt composed of a helically wound filament of small diameter having adjacent convolutions spaced less than said diameter and mutually secured in spaced relationship.

8. Fluid apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said belt is flexible.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Smith Apr. 17, 1906 4 Miller Dec. 24, 1940 Wright July 1, 1941 Rubissow Feb. 3, 1942 Hoffman Feb. 29, 1944 Smely Feb. 18, 1947 Hirsch Apr. 15, 1947 Anderson Oct. 23, 1951 Mills June 21, 1955 Kaiser Dec. 8, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 4, 1927 

